Annual Report: United Arab Emirates 2013

Annual Report: United Arab Emirates 2013

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Arbitrary arrest, torture and other ill-treatment

An investigation into a death in custody resulted in one-month prison terms for five officials, while 13 others were acquitted of torture. A second case resulted in a finding of death by natural causes. Torture allegations made by two Syrian nationals and one US national were not known to have been investigated.

Most al-Islah detainees could not meet with family or legal representatives and in most cases their whereabouts remained unknown. They were permitted in rare cases to telephone their families.

Death penalty

At least 21 death sentences were imposed, mostly on people convicted of murder and drug trafficking. At least one person was executed.

In November, UAE abstained on a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a worldwide moratorium on executions.

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United Arab Emirates: Blogger Arbitrarily Detained (UA 64/15)

Omani writer and blogger Muawiya al-Ruwahi was detained by State Security in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 24 February as he entered the country from Oman. His whereabouts are unknown and he may be at risk of torture and other ill-treatment.